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VA HB31

VA HB31
Professionally Licensed Teacher Supplemental Pay Program; established, report.


summary

Introduced
12/22/2025
In Committee
12/22/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
03/14/2026

Introduced Session

2026 Regular Regular Session

Bill Summary

Public school teachers; teacher compensation; Professionally Licensed Teacher Supplemental Pay Program established. Establishes the Professionally Licensed Teacher Supplemental Pay Program for the purpose of addressing shortages of professionally licensed teachers and reducing reliance on provisionally licensed teachers in public schools in the Commonwealth by providing, with such funds as are appropriated for such purpose, an annual supplemental payment to each professionally licensed teacher, as that term is defined by the bill, employed in any high-vacancy public school in the Commonwealth, defined by the bill as any public school that, based on the most recent data in the positions and exits collection, also defined by the bill, has a teacher vacancy rate that places it in the top 10 percent of public schools with the highest teacher vacancy rates in the Commonwealth. The bill directs the Department of Education to administer and oversee the Program and, in doing so, requires it to (i) identify and develop a list, and update such list every four years, of each high-vacancy public school in the Commonwealth; (ii) ensure that, each year, funds are disbursed in a timely manner and in an amount sufficient to provide the supplemental payment to each professionally licensed teacher employed in a high-vacancy public school in each school division; and (iii) annually submit to the Governor and publish on its website a report detailing the effect of the Program on recruitment and retention of professionally licensed teachers and the overall success of the Program in addressing teacher vacancy rates.

AI Summary

This bill establishes the Professionally Licensed Teacher Supplemental Pay Program to address teacher shortages in high-vacancy public schools by providing an annual $10,000 supplemental payment to professionally licensed teachers. The program defines a "high-vacancy public school" as one within the top 10 percent of schools with the highest teacher vacancy rates, as determined by the Department of Education's annual positions and exits collection survey. Beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, eligible teachers with a 10-year renewable professional license will receive the supplemental payment, which will be considered part of their regular salary, subject to standard payroll deductions, and counted toward retirement benefit calculations. The Department of Education will identify high-vacancy schools every four years, ensure timely fund distribution to school divisions, and submit an annual report to the Governor detailing the program's impact on teacher recruitment, retention, and vacancy rates. The goal is to reduce reliance on provisionally licensed teachers and improve staffing in schools experiencing the most significant teacher shortages.

Committee Categories

Budget and Finance, Business and Industry

Sponsors (6)

Last Action

Left in Committee Appropriations (on 02/18/2026)

Taxonomy

Education
  • ‐ Education Excellence
  • ‐ Elementary and Secondary Education

bill text


bill summary

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bill summary

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bill summary

Document Type Source Location Created
State Bill Page https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB31 12/23/2025
BillText https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB31/text/HB31 12/23/2025
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